It's official we have started the property search for what will hopefully be our long-term home and a place we can feel settled. What we are looking for in the next property we buy is potential, the potential to add value, space and to be able to make our own. The last two properties have both needed work so that is not an issue, as long as we can adjust the layout to suit our needs then it's worth all the hard work and sweat to make it something special. There are a few things on our checklist such as outdoor space, two receptions rooms and preferable a family room that can bring the outside in and a conservatory would be perfect for that. Conservatories can sometimes get a bad wrap, some people may perceive them as outdated or limited in it's use but this could not be more untrue, if done properly they can be really stylish spaces that add value to your property as well as creating a somewhere you want to spend time in all year round. Sometimes all a conservatory ......
some posts may contain affiliate links, i may recieve a commision on them at no extra cost to you.
26/06/2016
The Happy Now
So every month or so I like to go back through my instagram and pick out a few of our favourite memories, the days or moments that made us smile. As they say one picture can mean a thousand words and I think that is so true. 1. We discovered a secret picnic spot and garden near Cardiff which the boys love, it's full of amazing flowers and is lovely and quiet. 2. Reflecting on one of our favourite pieces in the house - this wooden peace sign was the first thing John and I bought together before having kids, for a house that would become a home. 3. We spent a beautiful sunny day strolling around the streets of the Welsh market town -Brecon. We also enjoyed a gentle paddle boat trip down the river Usk. 4. We have been trying to make small green and ethical changes to our lifestyle so I picked up this Keep Cup which is a barista quality glass coffee cup to use on the go, instead of using non-recyclable cups from high-street coffee shops. 5. We finally found time to check ou......
22/06/2016
Eye of the beholder
Wow it's been a bit of a manic week after an exciting Fathers Day last weekend and getting ready for a little adventure in London this weekend, time has just flown by but I did manage to pop into town and visited on go my favourite shops - Tiger Store and came across these fun sunglasses and couldn't resist picking them up. If anyone is wondering what they say - beauty is in the eye of the beholder - which I think is so true and reminds me that you need to be yourself, love yourself and have fun when it comes to personal style. Also following on from trying to inject some more ethical style into my wardrobe I picked up this green organic vest from H&M conscious collection and paired it up with my M&S jacket and Karen Millen trousers and Superga shoes which are my go to trainers when running around the city or with my kids. I'm also really looking forward to seeing some friends, old and new at Britmums this weekend so do come and say hi if your there. ......
19/06/2016
Duvets, Dens and Dining
If I could imagine my dream way to spend an evening with the ones I love, it would involve good food, sitting somewhere cosy and luxurious with fairy lights and being wrapped up in my duvet and soft Egyptian cotton while watching my favourite film and getting lots of hugs and cuddles from my boys. Opening up a bottle of bubbly, indulging in some devilishly good chocolate treats and to top it off not having to do the dishes would be perfection. I don't feel I am alone in thinking the idea of having freshly cooked food brought to you in bed or sitting on pillows in a Bedouin style den is an amazing way to spend an evening. Some of you may have already heard of the pop-up Duvet Dining experiences that have taken place in London, Belfast and Edinburgh recently and are the brainchild of TK Maxx who are celebrating the launch of their fun and creative Ridiculous Possibilities campaign which is capturing the idea that anything is possible in store. They also and set me a chall......
18/06/2016
Games to stimulate your brain
As a mum, you want to keep your brain active, and a great way of doing so is through games, with many of the best games for stimulating your brain available to download. You will likely have read about research pointing to a general decline in people’s IQ and concentration levels, and there is something to the idea that modern life, with its relentless focus on technology and what is happening in the immediate moment, is having an adverse effect on our ability to concentrate. At the same time, technology offers solutions to help stimulate the mind. Specifically, there are many games and apps available to download to get your mind working. As a mum, you need an active mind, both for your sake and for that of your children. What are some of the best games available to help stimulate the brain ? 1. Lumosity - One of the most popular brain games available to download. It boasts more than 70 million users worldwide. Lumosity is described as a cognitive science app and uses s......
17/06/2016
Embrace the Force this Fathers Day
No longer are the days when the popularity of Stars Wars was mainly among adults who were old enough to see the original trilogy or the tail end of it. Of course the films have a massive cult status and have always appeal to fans of all ages but never has there been such an influx and renewed excitement with younger children as there is now with Disney taking the reins of the new films. My is now versed in all things Star Wars and has been teaching me all about At-AT's, storm troopers and the force. Star Wars has always been the exception to the rule but even so its great to see it's enthusiasm and love cross so many generations which is why something Star Wars related makes the perfect Fathers Day present, especially one that can be done together as a family. My 5yr old loves to build lego's and models so I knew these Star Wars activity book and cardboard models from Egmont would be the perfect thing to give his Dad this Fathers Day as this would provide a......
15/06/2016
Coffee, Cream and Breakfast in Bed
When it comes to special occasions I am all about the small details and the little things you can do to show your loved ones how much you care. It doesn't have to be a big grand gesture or something expensive but rather a home-made card or breakfast in bed, which is always my preference over anything else, so for this Fathers Day I have planned something a little extra special. Both John and I are big coffee fans, I mean who isn't when you have kids, hello caffeine! We have been trying to refine the art of coffee making at home and I recently upgraded our ageing coffee machine to a Krups Nespresso Prodigy & Milk coffee machine and will hopefully master latte art soon but for now I thought I would put something quick and easy together for Fathers Day as I know I will be short of time with the two kids running around wanting to help. Pancakes in our house is a regular thing on Sunday mornings so I thought I would get creative with my go-to American style pancake......
While furthering my education was initially one of the most stressful and challenging things I've ever done as I had just had my first son, the lessons I learned from the experience on reflection have made it easier for me to lead a low-stress lifestyle, or at least attempt to. I always look back to that time and use it as a pin-point in terms of being over stretched and how even when I am feeling overwhelmed now I know I have come a long way personally, financially and in my work. 1. Stress Inhibits and Hinders Decision-Making Skills We often stress about making the right decisions without even realising that the stress alone is hurting our chances of making logical choices. Being able to look at your own situation from the outside looking in will help you formulate a plan that is based on logic and not emotions or opinions. It's surprising how much stress can interfere with daily life so talking to someone to help put things into perceptive wether that be friends, f......
This year we were lucky enough to tick off a city we have been wanting to visit for years - Helsinki! You may have read my post about the inspiring architecture the city has to offer but I also wanted to share our experiences visiting the Finnish Capital with kids in tow. There are so many reasons as to why Helsinki is a fantastic choice for a family holiday or city break with the fact it's so safe, clean, creative and welcoming. We stayed a whole week in the city and could have stayed another week and still would not have been able to see and do everything we wanted to as you are really spoilt for choice. Saying that though we did manage to cram a whole lot in and thought we would share our top 10 places to take kids in Helsinki. Mr A on the fortress island of Sumenlinna 1. Suomenlinna Island Suomenlinna Fortress island is one of 300 islands off the coast of Helsinki, it's a World Heritage site and only a 15min ferry from the city centre. You will......
13/06/2016
Ultimate Fathers Day Gift Guide
Are you feeling a little stuck or uninspired in the run up to fathers day? Or simply looking for something a little bit different or unusual? Well I have put together a fun and interesting gift guide which should of have something for everyone, regardless of budget. First of all some of you may already know I have been working with Braun and John personally put the beard trimmer to the test so if your looking to have your man neaten up his unruly beard than the Braun Beard Trimmer is a winner. If you want to tap into their interests wether he be an extreme junki, a fitness freak or rather prefer to spend his days with a beer in hand and a bbq going then these three options are worth looking at. First is the Black Belt Beer Box from Beer Hawk which includes 4 distinctly different beers along with a black belt beer guide so Dad can begin his journey of discovery, best of all it's currently selling for a special price of £12 (normally £20) If you are not 100% sure......
12/06/2016
Moving on up - From cot to bed
It feels like I blinked and my youngest has gone from a newborn to a toddler in no time and is learning things at such a fast pace. He watches his older brother like a hawk and is so eager to get involved and keep up with him. Every morning he climbs over me as we co-sleep most nights and the first thing he does is go to his brothers room to see if he is awake and tries to climb into his bed, which doesn't always go down well with my eldest. As soon as Baby G is up he is going a hundred miles an hour and I think things have happened quicker the second time around such as walking, using cutlery and his communication skills because he has an older sibling to look up too. Even though like I said we co-sleep nearly every night and my youngest is yet to actually spend any time over night in his own bedroom we feel thats it's not going to be that much longer that he will be ready to go from the travel cot that is right next to our bed to his own toddler bed so w......
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)